Gmund mourns: conservationist Wolfgang Hiller dies shortly before his birthday

Gmund mourns: conservationist Wolfgang Hiller dies shortly before his birthday

Wolfgang Hiller, an important conservationist from Gmund, died shortly before his 90th birthday. He was born on May 27, 1935 in Beuren (Neu-Ulm) and over the course of his life created a lasting awareness of the region's environment. Hiller was a teacher, ornithologist and author who came to the Albertinum Tegernsee in 1961 to teach chemistry, biology and geography. Through his initiatives and projects, he has had a lasting impact not only on school life, but also on the nature around Lake Tegernsee, as Merkur reports.

Hiller founded an environmental group to inspire students and citizens about nature and organized numerous excursions. Particularly noteworthy is his initiative to create the rock garden “Geology of the Tegernsee Valley” in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, the Siegsdorf Natural History Museum and BMW. In 1999 he also developed the lake nature trail between Gmund and Kaltenbrunn, which serves as an educational and recreational path.

Commitment to nature conservation

Wolfgang Hiller worked on the nature conservation advisory board of the Miesbach district for over 20 years and was actively involved in numerous nature conservation organizations, including as a founding member of the LBV Miesbach district group as well as in the Nature Conservation Association and the Ornithological Society. His commitment also included projects such as “Healthy water is our life” and the bank renovation in Gmund. He has also been involved in the international waterbird census since 1973 and monitored native breeding birds for over 12 years.

Hiller's expertise made him one of the region's leading birdwatchers. He was editor and co-author of the book “Tegernsee Valley – Natural History Hikes”, in which he shared his knowledge about the local flora and fauna. His work received great attention from experts. For his services, he was awarded the district's environmental award in 1989 and most recently received the Golden Medal for Environment and Nature Conservation from the Upper Bavaria district in 2023.

Legacy and passion

Music was another of Hiller's passions. He produced radio programs about “Bird Sounds in Serious Music” that reflect his deep understanding and love of nature in a different light. Wolfgang Hiller leaves behind two daughters and grandchildren who carry on his legacy and values.

His work is a shining example of how individual efforts in nature conservation can have a major impact. In the context of nature conservation in Germany, where almost 2.7 million hectares are protected, Hiller's commitment is of immense importance. Environmental groups emphasize the need for more protected areas to promote biodiversity and preserve natural habitats, which is also highlighted in a National Geographic analysis.

Numerous projects at LBV, such as the recultivation of rare plant species or large-scale butterfly projects, show that there is a lot going on that can help nature. Wolfgang Hiller's life's work will be remembered in the region and beyond and will continue to serve as an inspiration for conservationists and environmentally conscious people.